Page 105 of Dying Truth

‘I’m sorry. I’m not sure what you mean,’ he said, buying time for a simple question for an intelligent, educated man.

‘Well, do all you little Spades stay in contact once you’re out in the big wide world?’ Bryant asked the question with just the right amount of dismissive amusement to get a jaw clench from the man. This was Bryant’s baiting at its best. Subtle but effective and a joy to watch.

‘I don’t think you quite understand how—’

‘Oh no, I get it,’ Bryant said, now cutting the man off when he wanted to speak, which was just going to add to Cordell’s annoyance. ‘When I was a kid, one of my mates took some money from his mum’s purse, and we went and bought as much pick ‘n’ mix from Woolworths as we could carry. We swore it would be our secret. Pricked our thumbs, exchanged blood and everything.’

‘That’s not exactly—’ Cordell said, trying to interrupt but Bryant was on a roll.

‘Thing is, by the time I got home I felt sick as a dog. Not just cos I’d swallowed enough sugar to fell a wildebeest but because I knew I’d done something wrong,’ he said.

The tension on Cordell’s face was very telling. She marvelled at how her colleague had an anecdote for every occasion.

‘I couldn’t eat my tea, and by bedtime I was convinced the police were going to be knocking on my door. And suddenly the promise I’d made earlier to keep my mouth shut was no longer as important. Not compared to bringing shame upon my family.’ He paused and then lowered his voice. ‘Do you have family, Doctor Cordell?’

The doctor met Bryant’s intense gaze, and Kim knew what was coming next, as did her colleague.

‘I’m sorry, officers but I have nothing that will aid your investigation and I really must get on with my work.’

Bryant stood and offered his hand.

‘Thank you for your time and I hope we can speak more fully the next time we meet, probably best at the station when you’re less busy.’

Yeah, leave that threat hanging there, Kim thought. Bryant mentioning the next time assured Cordell that their business was unfinished and the idea of attending the station had prompted three deep swallows.

* * *

Kim closed the door behind them and Bryant leaned down to re-tie his shoelace.

‘Nice story about the sweets,’ she observed.

‘No story,’ he admitted. ‘And I haven’t been able to look at a Jelly Baby ever since,’ he said, straightening. He looked at her. ‘You ready?’

‘Oh yeah.’

Bryant stood close to the door and listened. She saw his mouth count to three before pushing down on the door handle

He hesitated for just a couple of seconds before speaking but it was long enough.

Cordell stood at the window already speaking on his mobile phone.

‘Sorry, doctor, but… oh never mind, it can wait,’ Bryant said, holding up his hand in apology and backing out of the room.

‘Works every bloody time,’ Kim said, as they headed along the corridor towards the front of the building.

By silent agreement they had acknowledged that they were going to get nothing from Doctor Cordell, so Bryant had focused his questioning on simply rattling the doctor, knowing full well that if he were guilty of something he’d be on the phone to someone as soon as they’d left the room. And he hadn’t disappointed them.

‘So, what did you hear?’ she asked.

‘Three words distinctly,’ he said. ‘I heard “know about Lorraine”.’

Yes, that was exactly what she’d heard too.

Seventy-Two

‘Just about to call you, boss,’ Stacey said, answering the phone.

‘Okay, but stop what you’re doing and search the list of current students at Heathcrest for the name Lorraine, and get Dawson over to the school to start asking in person.’